Editorial

Deepening Democracy In Rivers

Published

6 years ago

May 29, 2019

Hitherto, May 29 every year is usually celebrated as Nigeria’s Democracy Day before President Muhammadu Buhari’s dispensation recently changed the date to June 12 for reasons associated to the death of Chief Moshood Abiola, and his fellow compatriots who fought and died for the enthronement of civil rule in the country after prolonged successive military administrations spanning over three decades of post independence Nigeria.
As usual, the Federal Government has already declared today as a public holiday to commemorate the epoch-making event which will usher in another chapter in the nation’s political history as the President and governors are expected to take oath of office and oath of allegiance for another four-year stewardship.
As expected, the President and governors will be inaugurated at the federal and state levels, and thereafter, they will make national and state broadcast to chart a new course of their policy thrust, mission and vision of their tenure in the four years ahead, (2019 to 2023).
President Buhari and Governor Nyesom Ezenwo Wike, though elected on different political platforms, the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) respectively, however, have one thing in common-both are coasting home for their second term in office.
In essence, the two political gladiators’ policies and programmes will largely be to consolidate on their achievements in their first tenure. History, therefore, beckons on the leaders to stamp their names on gold by leaving their footprints on the sands of time.
In Rivers State, for instance, where Governor Wike oversees, posterity will for sure judge him right as he has strived to put smiles on the faces of Rivers people who gave him their mandate in 2015 and re-affirmed it in 2019, despite daunting opposition and insecurity challenges.
Like Ceasar’s wife, Wike lived above board, surpassing his predecessors’ achievements since the inception of Rivers State on May 27, 1967, when the then Head of State and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) decreed the existence of 19 states, including Rivers, following agitations by minorities over marginalisation in the Nigerian project.
So, as The Tide congratulates Governor Wike on this auspicious occasion, we strongly believe that it will be another platform and opportunity to prove his critics wrong that the success and achievements during his first tenure were not a fluke or accidental but a deliberate and conscious master plan encapsulated in his NEW Rivers philosophy.
Beyond all odds, the governor is expected to consolidate on his legacies in the past four years and bring to the front burner some of the sectors that were either not touched or partially addressed due to obvious constraints.
Happily enough, Wike has proclaimed in several fora that his priority in the years ahead will majorly focus on agriculture, security, education, employment generation, among other infrastructural initiatives that will take Rivers State to the next level.
While we acknowledge his giant strides in massive road development in the three senatorial zones of the state, particularly in Port Harcourt and Obio/Akpor, Andoni/Opobo Unity Road, Sakpenwa-Bori Road, Omoku-Egbema dualisation project, Elelenwo-Akpajo Road, among others, we implore the governor to strive to open up the rural areas through internal and access roads to ensure smooth human and agricultural products transit from rural dwellers to urban centres.
It is, indeed, on record that the governor built new specialist hospitals in each of the three senatorial zones which are on the verge of completion, renovated several general hospitals, constructed Mother and Child specialist hospital, among other health facilities, to boost healthcare delivery in the state. In the education sector, a new polytechnic, the Captain Elechi Amadi Polytechnic, the Rivers State University (RSU) and Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Rumuolumeni, Port Harcourt also received substantial budgetary allocations and grants which resulted to full accreditation of courses in these tertiary institutions.
Perhaps, it is against these lofty and visionary developmental achievements that the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo nicknamed the Governor “Mr Project” in affirmation of Wike’s unprecedented successes recorded in his first term in office.
Wike’s inauguration today therefore provides another ample opportunity for stock-taking and retrospection in his quest to foster a new Rivers State predicated on unity, peace, order and cohesion. Gladly, he has extended the olive branch to the opposition to join the state government in ushering in a new state of our collective dream and aspirations as enunciated by the founding fathers.
As our democratic experience comes alive again today, we put our political leaders on the crucible of history and posterity and to earnestly invite all stakeholders to the Rivers project to put behind them their political and individual interest aside by taking a mental stroll through our tortuous history in the hands of major ethnic blocs. Our leaders should and must therefore complement Wike’s efforts, as, according to our sages, it takes two hands to clap”.
Rivers interest must be paramount always. There cannot be a better state for the present and future generations than our own dear Rivers State.
At the risk of sounding immodest, we implore all to sheathe their swords, come together and make the state a better place for all. Governments come and go, Rivers State remains our God-given endowment.
Rivers people, irrespective of their political affiliation and differences must resist the temptation of playing to the gallery in Abuja in order to massage the ego of their political mentors and associates. The process of re-uniting our people must start now. There can be no better time.

Editorial

No To Political Office Holders’ Salary Hike

Published

8 hours ago

September 22, 2025

Uchechukwu Okwum

Nigeria’s Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) has unveiled a gratuitous proposal to increase the salaries of political and public office holders in the country. This plan seeks to fatten the pay packets of the president, vice-president, governors, deputy governors, and members of the National and State Assemblies. At a time when the nation is struggling to steady its economy, the suggestion that political leaders should be rewarded with more money is not only misplaced but insulting to the sensibilities of the ordinary Nigerian.

What makes the proposal even more opprobrious is the dire economic condition under which citizens currently live. The cost of living crisis has worsened, inflation has eroded the purchasing power of workers, and the naira continues to tumble against foreign currencies. The majority of Nigerians are living hand to mouth, with many unable to afford basic foodstuffs, medical care, and education. Against this backdrop, political office holders, who already enjoy obscene allowances, perks, and privileges, should not even contemplate a salary increase.

It is, therefore, not surprising that the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) has stepped in to challenge this development. SERAP has filed a lawsuit against the RMAFC to halt the implementation of this salary increment. This resolute move represents a voice of reason and accountability at a time when public anger against political insensitivity is palpable. The group is rightly insisting that the law must serve as a bulwark against impunity.

According to a statement issued by SERAP’s Deputy Director, Kolawole Oluwadare, the commission has been dragged before the Federal High Court in Abuja. Although a hearing date remains unconfirmed, the momentous step of seeking judicial redress reflects a determination to hold those in power accountable. SERAP has once again positioned itself as a guardian of public interest by challenging an elite-centric policy.

The case, registered as suit number FHC/ABJ/CS/1834/2025, specifically asks the court to determine “whether RMAFC’s proposed salary hike for the president, vice-president, governors and their deputies, and lawmakers in Nigeria is not unlawful, unconstitutional and inconsistent with the rule of law.” This formidable question goes to the very heart of democratic governance: can those entrusted with public resources decide their own pay rises without violating the constitution and moral order?

In its pleadings, SERAP argues that the proposed hike runs foul of both the 1999 Nigerian Constitution and the RMAFC Act. By seeking a judicial declaration that such a move is unlawful, unconstitutional, and inconsistent with the rule of law, the group has placed a spotlight on the tension between self-serving leadership and constitutionalism. To trivialise such an issue would be harum-scarum, for the constitution remains the supreme authority guiding governance.

We wholeheartedly commend SERAP for standing firm, while we roundly condemn RMAFC’s selfish proposal. Political office should never be an avenue for financial aggrandisement. Since our leaders often pontificate sacrifice to citizens, urging them to tighten their belts in the face of economic turbulence, the same leaders must embody sacrifice themselves. Anything short of this amounts to double standards and betrayal of trust.

The Nigerian economy is not buoyant enough to shoulder the additional cost of a salary increase for political leaders. Already, lawmakers and executives enjoy allowances that are grossly disproportionate to the national average income. These earnings are sufficient not only for their needs but also their unchecked greed. To even consider further increments under present circumstances is egregious, a slap in the face of ordinary workers whose minimum wage remains grossly insufficient.

Resources earmarked for such frivolities should instead be channelled towards alleviating the suffering of citizens and improving the nation’s productive capacity. According to United Nations statistics, about 62.9 per cent of Nigerians were living in multidimensional poverty in 2021, compared to 53.7 per cent in 2017. Similarly, nearly 30.9 per cent of the population lives below the international poverty line of US$2.15 per day. These figures paint a stark picture: Nigeria is a poor country by all measurable standards, and any extra naira diverted to elite pockets deepens this misery.

Besides, the timing of this proposal could not be more inappropriate. At a period when unemployment is soaring, inflation is crippling households, and insecurity continues to devastate communities, the RMAFC has chosen to pursue elite enrichment. It is widely known that Nigeria’s economy is in a parlous state, and public resources should be conserved and wisely invested. Political leaders must show prudence, not profligacy.

Another critical dimension is the national debt profile. According to the Debt Management Office, Nigeria’s total public debt as of March 2025 stood at a staggering N149.39 trillion. External debt obligations also remain heavy, with about US$43 billion outstanding by September 2024. In such a climate of debt-servicing and borrowing to fund budgets, it is irresponsible for political leaders to even table the idea of inflating their salaries further. Debt repayment, not self-reward, should occupy their minds.

This ignoble proposal is insensitive, unnecessary, and profoundly reckless. It should be discarded without further delay. Public office is a trust, not an entitlement to wealth accumulation. Nigerians deserve leaders who will share in their suffering, lead by example, and prioritise the common good over self-indulgence. Anything less represents betrayal of the social contract and undermines the fragile democracy we are striving to build.

Editorial

No To Political Office Holders’ Salary Hike

Published

8 hours ago

September 22, 2025

The Tide

Editorial

Rivers’ Retirees: Matters Arising

Published

2 weeks ago

September 8, 2025

The Tide

The Rivers State Government deserves commendation for the manner in which it conducted the last biometric exercise for pensioners in the state. For the first time in many years, the verification process was not only efficient but also humane, a development that has brought relief to a category of citizens that often bears the brunt of neglect.

Unlike previous verification exercises that left pensioners exhausted and unattended, the latest exercise set a refreshing precedent. Retirees were given proper and sumptuous meals, and in addition, the government paid the sum of N10,000 into their accounts to cushion their transportation costs. Such gestures go a long way in demonstrating that those who had laboured for the state are not forgotten in their twilight years.

The measure was particularly necessary given that some pensioners had to travel long distances to reach their verification centres. For elderly men and women, such journeys come with physical and financial strain. By recognising these realities and easing the burden, the government has shown that pensioners deserve dignity, not disdain.

Beyond this laudable act of consideration, the authorities must reflect on the very structure of pension verification. The era of compelling retirees to be physically present for routine verification should be reconsidered. With digital tools and innovation, the government can adopt systems that capture and confirm data without the stress of physical assembly. This is crucial for pensioners residing in other states or even abroad.

While we acknowledge the importance of verification in cleaning up pension records, we cannot ignore the darker side of the matter. It is regrettable that some allowances continue to be paid to deceased pensioners, with relatives fraudulently collecting the funds. The latest biometrics, thankfully, exposed some of these sharp practices. The exercise, therefore, is not only about order but also about justice.

We urge families of deceased pensioners to be patriotic enough to inform the government of the deaths of their loved ones. It is deeply shameful that in some instances, individuals attempted to impersonate late pensioners during the biometrics. Such behaviour undermines the spirit of honesty and deprives genuine retirees of their due entitlements.

The exercise also revealed another important area of concern: the health of pensioners. It is reassuring to learn that the state government has reportedly promised to take over the medical treatment of some retirees who arrived for the biometrics in critical condition. This is a step in the right direction. Elderly citizens, after years of service, should have access to special health care facilities in the state. Setting aside hospitals or designated centres for the aged is not just desirable but necessary.

While pension payments in Rivers State have remained consistent, attention must now be directed towards gratuities. Senior citizens deserve to receive their retirement benefits without the bureaucratic hitches that have often marred the process. After years of loyal service, nothing is more demoralising than to see retirees languish for want of their gratuities. Every worker, as Scripture reminds us, is worthy of his wage.

Retirement, in any civilised society, should not be reduced to a sentence of suffering. In dealing with pensioners, government must consistently wear a human face. The humane manner displayed during this verification exercise should not be a one-off. It must become the norm in all dealings with retirees. Measures must continually be put in place to ensure that they do not feel abandoned by the state they served.

One welcome innovation has already been introduced. The Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, has altered the method of gratuity payment. Pensioners now receive their monies directly into their bank accounts, eliminating the cheque-based system that for years served as fertile ground for corruption. This reform is both pragmatic and forward-looking. Similarly, the implementation of the N32,000 pension harmonisation is also commendable.

Direct payments gratuities ensure transparency and drastically reduce the possibility of diversion of funds. More importantly, they restore confidence in the system and assure pensioners that their entitlements will reach them without interference. In this way, the government has not only safeguarded the process but also upheld the principle of accountability.

Seamless gratuity payment has a ripple effect on the workforce as a whole. When workers are confident that retirement will not plunge them into hardship, the temptation to falsify age in order to remain in service is eliminated. Such reforms, therefore, enhance efficiency, honesty, and productivity in the public service.

In sum, the Rivers State Government has struck a refreshing chord in its handling of pension verification. It has shown empathy, innovation, and accountability. However, the momentum must be sustained, and the focus must shift towards modernising verification methods and prioritising retirees’ welfare in health, gratuity, and dignity.

When retirees are treated with compassion and fairness, the message to those still in service is clear: faithful service to the state will not go unrewarded. The humane verification exercise, though a single event, offers a hopeful glimpse of what governance can look like when people, especially the elderly, are placed at the heart of policy.